If you are craving a dish that bursts with bold, creamy flavors and vibrant Mexican flair, this Shrimp with Mexican Street Corn Sauce Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine succulent shrimp enveloped in a luxuriously tangy and smoky sauce inspired by the beloved street corn toppings, finished with crumbly queso fresco and fresh cilantro. It brings together a delightful medley of textures and tastes that dance on your palate, making it a standout recipe perfect for both casual dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple but crucial, each playing a unique role in bringing the authentic taste, creamy texture, and vibrant color that make this dish truly irresistible.
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined: Choose fresh or thawed shrimp for the best juicy texture and natural sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Adds a subtle fruitiness and helps achieve a beautiful sear on the shrimp.
- 1 tablespoon butter: Enriches the sauce with a silky, decadent creaminess.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the sauce with a warm, aromatically pungent flavor.
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise: Provides a creamy base that mimics the classic street corn sauce.
- 1/4 cup sour cream: Adds tanginess and lightens the richness.
- 1/4 cup Mexican crema: Brings authentic Mexican creaminess and a slight tang for complexity.
- 1 tablespoon lime juice: Brightens everything up with zesty acidity.
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro: Adds fresh herbaceous notes and color.
- 1 teaspoon chili powder: Delivers a subtle smoky heat that wakes up the sauce.
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika: Gives a deep, smoky aroma without overpowering.
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin: Adds earthiness and a warm depth reminiscent of street food spices.
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder: Enhances garlic flavor without overpowering the fresh garlic.
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder: Rounds out the savory flavor profile.
- 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco: Provides a salty, tangy topping that melts slightly into the sauce.
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped: A final flourish that enhances freshness and color.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Necessary to balance and lift the flavors.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a gentle kick and complexity.
How to Make Shrimp with Mexican Street Corn Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Shrimp
Begin by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. This step is key for developing a beautiful golden crust on each shrimp, locking in their natural juices. Once hot, add the peeled and deveined shrimp in a single layer and cook them for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until their color changes to a radiant pink and they turn opaque. This quick sear ensures the shrimp remain tender and juicy.
Step 2: Remove the Shrimp and Build Flavor
Set the cooked shrimp aside on a plate temporarily. In the same skillet, add a tablespoon of butter and let it melt gently. The butter not only adds richness but also catches all those flavorful browned bits left behind by the shrimp. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, filling your kitchen with an inviting aroma that signals the sauce is about to come alive.
Step 3: Prepare the Mexican Street Corn Sauce
While the butter and garlic meld in the skillet, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, and Mexican crema in a separate bowl. This creamy trifecta forms the base of our sauce, perfectly balancing richness and tang. Stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro to add brightness and fresh herbal notes. Next, season with chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder—this blend recreates the smoky, slightly spicy essence that defines Mexican street corn flavors.
Step 4: Combine and Simmer
Whisk the sauce ingredients until smooth and uniform. Taste for seasoning, then add salt and black pepper as needed to bring out the flavors. Return the shrimp to the skillet and pour this luscious sauce over them, tossing gently to coat every shrimp evenly. Let the shrimp simmer for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally so they soak up the vibrant sauce and stay tender.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Transfer the shrimp to a serving platter, spooning over any remaining sauce to keep them moist and flavorful. Sprinkle crumbled queso fresco and freshly chopped cilantro on top for that authentic finishing touch—the cheese melts slightly, adding salty tang and texture contrast that makes every bite exciting.
How to Serve Shrimp with Mexican Street Corn Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of additional fresh cilantro and crumbled queso fresco is classic, but you can also add a few lime wedges on the side. A dash of chili powder or smoked paprika over the top will enhance color and spice, while thinly sliced green onions bring a mild sharpness that complements the creamy sauce beautifully.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with fluffy Mexican rice, warm corn tortillas, or a crisp green salad with avocado. The creamy sauce and spices on the shrimp harmonize with fresh, simple sides that let the main flavors shine without overwhelming your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the shrimp and sauce over grilled corn salad or even toss them with pasta for a fusion-inspired meal. You can lay the shrimp on crispy tostadas and garnish with pickled jalapeños for a crunchy, tangy bite. These creative presentations are sure to impress guests and keep your meal vibrant and fresh.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover shrimp with Mexican street corn sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Because the shrimp are cooked and coated in sauce, chilling helps flavors meld without losing texture.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this dish since the creamy sauce can separate and shrimp may become rubbery. For best results, prepare fresh or only refrigerate leftovers.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the leftovers in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from breaking. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or lime juice to bring back its silky texture before serving.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw and pat them dry before cooking to ensure they sear properly and maintain the right texture.
What can I substitute for Mexican crema?
If you can’t find Mexican crema, sour cream or crème fraîche are good alternatives that provide a similar tangy creaminess.
Is this recipe spicy?
This Shrimp with Mexican Street Corn Sauce Recipe has a mild to moderate spice level, thanks mostly to chili powder and smoked paprika. You can adjust the heat by increasing or reducing these spices based on your preference.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the sauce can be made a few hours ahead and refrigerated. Just add the sauce to the shrimp and warm through before serving to keep everything fresh.
What can I serve with this dish for a full meal?
Pair it with Mexican rice, grilled vegetables, or soft tortillas to round out the meal with complementary textures and flavors.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about this Shrimp with Mexican Street Corn Sauce Recipe that lifts simple ingredients into a vibrant, unforgettable meal. I hope you enjoy making it as much as you do eating it, and that it brings a little fiesta to your dinner table wherever you serve it. Give it a try and watch how quickly it becomes a go-to favorite!
Print
Shrimp with Mexican Street Corn Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 10m
- Total Time: 0h 25m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This vibrant and flavorful Shrimp with Mexican Street Corn Sauce recipe features succulent shrimp cooked to perfection and coated in a creamy, zesty sauce inspired by classic Mexican street corn flavors. Made with a blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, Mexican crema, and spices like chili powder and smoked paprika, the sauce delivers a perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and fresh notes. Garnished with crumbled queso fresco and fresh cilantro, this dish is a quick and satisfying meal that brings authentic Mexican flair to your table.
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Mexican Street Corn Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup Mexican crema
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Garnish
- 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the shrimp.
- Cook the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Set aside shrimp: Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set them aside on a plate to keep warm.
- Melt butter: In the same skillet, add butter and let it melt, utilizing the flavorful browned bits left from cooking the shrimp.
- Sauté garlic: Add the minced garlic to the butter and sauté for 30 seconds or until fragrant to enhance the sauce’s aroma.
- Prepare sauce base: In a separate bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and Mexican crema to form the creamy base of the sauce.
- Add seasonings: Stir in lime juice, chopped cilantro, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder to infuse the sauce with Mexican-inspired flavors.
- Mix the sauce: Whisk all ingredients together until the sauce is smooth and well combined, ensuring an even flavor distribution.
- Season to taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning by adding salt and black pepper as needed to balance the flavors.
- Combine shrimp and sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and pour the prepared sauce over them.
- Coat shrimp evenly: Toss the shrimp gently in the sauce to ensure they are well coated with the creamy mixture.
- Simmer gently: Allow the shrimp to simmer in the sauce for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to heat through and meld the flavors.
- Plate the shrimp: Transfer the shrimp to a serving platter and spoon any remaining sauce over the top for extra flavor.
- Add garnish: Sprinkle crumbled queso fresco and fresh chopped cilantro on top for a fresh, authentic finish.
- Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious Mexican street corn inspired shrimp dish.
Notes
- Use fresh cilantro for best flavor in the sauce and garnish.
- Mexican crema can be substituted with more sour cream if unavailable.
- Adjust chili powder and smoked paprika levels to control spice and smokiness to your taste.
- Serve with warm tortillas or over rice to make a complete meal.
- Peeling and deveining shrimp before cooking saves time and ensures tenderness.
